The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, has announced the lifting of the ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel.
The ban was imposed by the Commission in February this year following the commencement of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
But it has now been been lifted
Bishop Adegbite made the declaration at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on Saturday, August 1, 2026, according to a press statement issued by the Director , Media and Public Relations of the commission, Celestine Toruka.
According to the Executive Secretary:
_”I promised everyone that I will be here to see what is happening in the Holy Land. I have been here in the last three days. The Holy Land is peaceful. Jerusalem is at peace and will continue to be at peace.”_
Consequently, he stated:
_”The ban on Christian Pilgrimage from Nigeria to Israel is hereby lifted from today.”_
He explained that the lifting of the ban would only permit pilgrims from Nigeria to travel through the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
He noted that Jordan is not safe at the moment and the Commission cannot take that risk.
Bishop Adegbite stressed that Jerusalem is a chosen nation and that everyone who sets foot in the Promised Land of Jerusalem shall be blessed, and every prayer offered in Jerusalem shall be answered.
The NCPC helmsman further reiterated that all pilgrims who had travelled had returned safely, and the 2026 pilgrimage exercise would not be an exception, as “the Lord has always been our shield and buckler.”
He also declared prayers for peace with Mr. President, peace with the First Lady of Nigeria, peace with everyone in government, and peace in the North East, Peace in the North Central, Peace in the North West, Peace in the South South , peace in the South East and peace in the South West of Nigeria.
